Pages tagged "connecticut"

A poll released last week from Sacred Heart University’s Institute of Public Policy proves what we’ve been saying about our state’s public charter schools all along: locally, Connecticut’s charter schools stand out for being community-centric and community-focused, resulting in strong local support for them.

The poll found that two-thirds of Connecticut residents “strongly” or “somewhat” support the formation of charter schools in the state. Another 43 percent support increasing funding for charter schools. The study also found that fewer than 10 percent strongly oppose the formation of charters.

With its small class sizes, dedication to individualized attention and personal development, Explorations Charter School, a public charter high school located in Winsted, Connecticut, aims to help all of its students succeed. One such success story is that of Marshall Shields, an Explorations senior who, despite facing incredible odds, is headed to the University of Connecticut this fall. Marshall was the recipient of several academic and merit-based scholarships, notably the 2018 Horatio Alger National Scholarship valued at $25,000. We spent some time with Marshall and learned just how his time at Explorations helped to prepare him for this next big step.

Think back on every middle school book report, term paper and research project you’ve ever done. Are there any you can honestly say changed your life? Better yet, can you say there were any that helped improve the lives of others? I know I certainly can’t, but the sixth graders at the Interdistrict School for Arts and Communication (ISAAC) in New London are making their mark on the world through an immersive, cross-disciplinary project that’s changing hearts and minds by putting a human face on the immigration story.

In an impassioned acceptance speech before the crowd at Charter Awareness Day 2018, Connecticut Governor Dannel P. Malloy, recipient of the 2018 Torchbearer Award, urged lawmakers to treat public charter schools fairly, instead of "penalizing (them) because (they’re) doing such a great job."

When a child sets foot into New Beginnings Family Academy, a pre-K through grade 8 charter school located in Bridgeport, that child can expect to be loved, nurtured, and most importantly, affirmed. That concept of affirmation was a recurring theme in our conversation with Ronelle P. Swagerty, Chief Executive Officer at New Beginnings Family Academy, and a driving force behind why this school is "Making Black History Today."

These are the famous words of Booker T. Washington, one of the foremost African-American thinkers and leaders of the late 19th and early 20th centuries. And with just a glance throughout the hallways of the New Haven public charter school that bears his name, this is exactly what you’ll see happening. At Booker T. Washington Academy, the uncommon truly does become common. That’s why this is a school that is "Making Black History Today."

This month we're celebrating those who are "Making Black History Today" – educators who are changing lives and making their schools and communities a better place. Their impact will be felt for years to come.

I can feel my hands quivering under the table as I attempt to steady them around my pen. There’s a lump in my throat and my mouth is parched. In my ears, I can hear the quickening thump of my heartbeat. And after my name is called, I make my way over, have a seat, nervously adjust my sleeves and turn to face my biggest fear.

It's a question the students and faculty at Explorations Charter School, a public charter high school located in northwestern Connecticut, found themselves answering more than once as fall classes started earlier this month. As part of a brand-new summer initiative, a small group of students braved some of the hottest temperatures Connecticut saw this summer in order to beautify the Winsted campus’ grounds.